Blog

What Causes Hair Loss in Teenage Males?

Most teenagers have enough on their plates without having to worry about hair loss as well. But, unfortunately, for some teenage boys, thinning hair seems to go along with the other stresses and trials of puberty. In some cases, the hair loss is due to external factors, in others, it’s because of genes. Options for treating thinning hair in teenagers range from correcting the source of the problem to surgical procedures such as strip harvesting or follicular unit extraction.

Reasons for Hair Loss in Teen Boys

Nutrition

Teenagers aren’t exactly known for having the best diets, and for some, that can result in thinning hair. For example, if a teenage boy decides to try vegetarianism out, he might notice some hair loss if his diet doesn’t include enough protein. Boys who are athletic might become anemic, according to Kids Health, and the lack of iron can also affect their hair. Making sure that a teenager eats a balanced diet with the recommended amounts of each nutrient can help reduce or reverse the thinning.

Hormone Issues

In some cases, an underlying medical issue that affects a boy’s hormones might also affect how much hair is on his scalp. For example, if a boy develops diabetes, one of the signs of the illness might be a loss of hair from the scalp and other areas of the body. A problem with the thyroid might also lead to thinning hair.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a relatively common autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss in people of all ages, including teenage boys. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, nearly 7 million people in the US have the disorder. The hair loss that can occur from the disorder ranges from patchy to total. Some people end up losing all of the hair from their bodies. The good news about the condition is that hair regrowth can occur at any time, since the hair follicles remain intact.

Male Pattern Baldness

While many assume that male pattern baldness only affects older men, some guys do start to develop signs of it in their teen, usually in the mid to late teen years. While some cases of male pattern baldness are due to a guy’s genes, the condition can also be triggered by the use of steroids in teenage athletes.

What to Do About Hair Loss

Figuring out the cause of the hair loss is the first step to figuring out what to do about it. Treating it might be as simple as changing your diet or getting a medical condition under control. In the case of male pattern baldness, hair transplant surgery can help to restore hair that’s been lost from the scalp and restore some of a teenager’s confidence. To learn more about hair restoration options, call 844-261-7020 to schedule a consultation at Contemporary Hair Transplant today.

ABOUT US

At the Chuback Medical Group in Paramus, New Jersey, your customized care is our top priority. With nonsurgical and minimally invasive alternatives, we can provide you with a hair replacement solution that will fit your lifestyle and budget.